Riderless weaving frame



Oct. 5, 1965 w. MUNCH 3,209,789

RIDERLES S WEAVING FRAME Filed Dec. 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lllll ||I\ll 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 20, 1965 United States Patent 3,209,789 RIDERLESS WEAVING FRAME Walter Munch, Horgen, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor to Grob & Co. Aktiengesellschaft, Zurich, Switzerland Filed Dec. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 332,132 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec. 21, 1962, 15,024/62 11 Claims. (Cl. 139-93) The invention concerns a riderless weaving frame with weaving heddles which, because of their J-shaped end loops, can move in the known manner unhindered by carriers required for the heddle carrying rods, over the whole useful length of the weaving frame.

The end loops of a known form of heddles for riderless weaving frames are laterally open, C-shaped. The free passage in the centre of their end loops enable the weaving heddles to slide unhindered past the carrier, being secured laterally to the heddle carrying rod. This shape of end loop requires comparatively high heddle carrying rods, whilst on the other hand the weaving heddles are secured against inadvertent disengagement from the heddle carrying rod by the shanks of the end loop remaining on the open side.

Other known weaving heddles for riderless weaving frames have J-hook shaped end loops. These end loops extend around the heddle carrying rod from outside and the heddle carrying rod should only be of such height that the rod carrier, attached to the side facing the open side of the end loop is out of reach of the inwardly directed hook of the end loop. These known heddles, however, have the disadvantage that they can disengage from the heddle carrying rods, as soon as the upper and lower frame stave, or the respective upper and lower heddle carrying rods approach each other beyond a certain minimum such as by flexing under the weight of the heddles thereon. With wide weaving looms a certain bending of the frame staves cannot be avoided, in particular when the weaving frames are operated from below by pushing and pulling. The disengaging of the end loops can be prevented by prolonging the inwardly directed hook, however, the heddle carrying rod must then be correspondingly higher, and one advantage of the J-hook shaped end loops is lost. When the weaving heddles are taken from the frame together with the heddle carrying rods the latter can freely move, allowing the I-hook shaped end loops to disengage from the heddle carrying rods and the pile of heddles to become disorganized and disarranged.

It has been suggested to provide the heddle carrying rod, at least at its outer edge, with a bead to avoid the aforementioned disadvantage of the .l-hook shaped end loops.

This is disadvantageous in that the 'J-shaped hook of the end loop has to be widened to either side in relation to the vertical axis of the heddle carrying rod and the part of the end loop, being subject to the tensile stress against the centre plane of the weaving frame, is weakened. If the end loop of the weaving heddle tends to disengage from the heddle carrying rod the bead on the outer edge of the heddle carrying rod has a wedge effect on the locking prongs of the end loop and thus can open same. To ensure free movability of the weaving heddles on the heddle carrying rods the end loop must also permit lateral play in the direction of the run of the warp. Considering the restricted space available, for example with mm. /8") pitch of harness, only one of the protusions of the end loop will catch and consequently the bearing surface thus presented will hardly give sufficient support against unintentional disengagement of the heddle.

3,209,789 Patented Oct. 5, 1965 It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved Weaving frame.

According to the present invention a riderless weaving frame having weaving heddles guided by means of J-hook shaped end loops and freely movable on heddle carrying rods is characterised in that each of the end loops presents a single protrusion directed towards the respective heddle carrying rod, and such protrusion engages a guideand supporting edge on the said heddle carrying rod.

Preferably the frame is further characterised in that co-operating means are provided on the heddle and heddle carrying rods whereby upon relative motion between the heddle and the heddle carrying rods in a given sense the heddles will not be disengaged from said rods out will be freely movable therealong relative to the said carrying rod edge.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating several embodiments thereof and in which:

FIG. 1 shows, in front elevation a heddle frame with a number of heddles positioned thereon.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial cross-section along line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the upper heddle carrying rod of FIG. 2 with the lifted heddle in an extreme position.

FIGS. 4-9 are views, corresponding to FIG. 3 of various alternative embodiments.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, a heddle frame consists, in the usual manner, of an upper frame stave 1, connected to a lower frame stave 2 by side supports 3 and 4. The upper heddle carrying rod 5 and the lower heddle carrying rod 6 are connected to the heddle frame stave 1 and. 2 respectively in known manner by means of holders '7. The heddles 8 are located on the heddle carrying rods.

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section II--II from FIG. 1 in enlarged scale, the frame staves 1 and 2 and the side supports 3 and 4 being omitted in the interest of simplicity. The holders 7 support, by means of inter mediate pieces 9, the upper heddle carrying rod 5 and the lower heddle carrying rod 6. The heddle carrying rods Sand 6 have ribs 10-11 respectively extending along their outer longitudinal edges, such ribs being directed towards the open side of the J-hook shaped end loop of the heddle 8. The heddle 8 has an upper end loop 12 and a lower end loop 13 which are open on the same side and face in the same direction. It is also possible to laterally transpose the lower end loop 13 relative to the respective frame stave 2, together with the heddle carrying rod 6, the holder 7 and the intermediate part 9.

The heddle S is provided in its intermediate portion with at least one eyelet 14, as well as-if necessary-the known additional openings for releasing devices of known automatic drawing-in machines. The weaving heddle 8 illustrated is manufactured from strip steel or other suitable material and it is to be appreciated that the shape of the heddle, from the eyelet to the region of the end loops 12, 13, may be varied in a well known manner.

The Weaving heddle 8 is shown in FIG. 2 in a rest position, that is to say the heddle is supported and suspended with its upper end loop 12 on the heddle carrying rod 5. The inner shanks 17, 18 respectively of the end loops 12, 13, are not engaged and are held in spaced relation by means of protrusions 15, 16 respectively formed in the said shanks 17, 18 which aredirected towards the heddle carrying rod in a direction opposite to the direction of the longitudinal ribs 10 and 11 of the heddle carrying rods. The lateral play-in the running direction of the warp-of the end loops 12 and 13 is divided almost symmetrically in relation to the heddle carrying rod.

At the transition from the end loops 12, 13 to the middle part of the heddle there are inclined guiding edges 19, 29 respectively.

FIG. 3 shows the upper part of the weaving heddle 8 of FIG. 2 in the upper end position. The upper end position of the weaving heddle is defined by the co-action of the protrusion 15 on the part pointing inwards of the shank 17 of the J-hook shaped end loop 12 together with the longitudinal rib 10 of the heddle carrying rod 5. Thus disengagement of the heddle 8 from the heddle carrying rod in an upward direction is avoided. Disengagement of the heddles would cause considerable difficulty during weaving, and heddles would become displaced when preparing the weaving harness. The guide edge 19 is provided at the transition from the end loop 12 to the middle part of the heddle so that in spite of the lateral play of the end loop 12 (in the rest position) on the heddle carrying rod 5 the protrusion 15 is in engagement with the longitudinal rib over the whole depth of the resting surface when in the position shown in FIG. 3. As soon as the Weaving heddle is lifted beyond the play available for its free movability the guide edge 19 touches the edge of the frame of the heddle carrying rod 5. Since the guide edge 19 is slanted or inclined relative to the vertical axis of the heddle 8 such edge acts so as to move the heddle 8 in a lateral direction toward the rod 5, and thus preventing the closed side of the end loop 12, from becoming disengaged from the heddle carrying rod 5. The protrusion on the open side of the end loop is to the same extent drawn towards the heddle carrying rod so that it rests on the longitudinal rib 10 over its whole depth and can sustain the tensile stress.

As shown in FIG. 2 the guide edge 19 does not abut the heddle carrying rod 5 when the heddle is hanging on same, but only when pulled against it in the upper shed position. The free movability, in the rest position, is in this position hindered in no way.

The weaving heddle 8 in FIG. 3 has, near the end loop 12, an additional opening 21, which can accommodate a guide bar in the known manner.

FIG. 4 shows a twin wire heddle. The end loop 22 of the heddle is open on one side and the free ends are so bent as to form a protrusion 24 and a shank 23, serving as a guide means, to be supported on the carrier 25. The heddle carrying rod carrier 25 is of one piece construction. A longitudinal rib 26 on the rod is provided and similarly, a protrusion 24 is formed on the loop 22, which are slightly tapered. In FIG. 5 the heddle carrying rod 27 is provided at its inner edge, with an additional longitudinal rib 28, such rib co-acting with a cut-out 29 defining and serving as a guiding edge.

FIG. 6 shows a further possible shape of end loop. The heddle carrying rod has an additional longitudinal rib 31 to make the heddle carrying rod symmetrical with regard to its transverse axis. A protrusion 32 serves as a guide edge.

In FIG. 7 the frame stave 33, the carrier 34 and the heddle rod 35 are integrally formed. The guide edge 36 is at the end loop part of the weaving heddle and co-acts with the longitudinal rib 37 of the carrier 34.

In FIG. 8 the frame stave 38 is provided with -a rib 39, serving as guiding edge, the upper end loop part of the heddle being formed with a step.

In FIG. 9 the carrier 41, extending over the whole length of the frame, is extended inwardly of the heddle carrying rod and such inward extension is bent towards the weaving heddle to meet a guiding edge 42. This heddle is furnished with an elongated opening 43, into which a flat bar 44 can be introduced. The protrusion 45 is tapered at its lower edge to facilitate inserting supplementary weaving heddles.

With the embodiments illustrated the longitudinal ribs 10, 11 and 26 respectively define guide and supporting edges which are undergripped by the protrusions of the 4: end loops. Instead of these ribs, grooves in the heddle carrying rods naturally would have the same eifect.

I claim:

1. In a heddle frame for riderless weaving harness having upper and lower staves arranged in spaced relation, heddle carrying rods supported by each of said staves, said heddle carrying rods being provided with vertically disposed flat portions, a laterally extending flanged rib formed along one edge of each of said heddle rods offset to one side of its vertical portion, a series of heddles supported between said heddle carrying rods, J-shaped hook portions on both ends of each heddle forming loops having longitudinal slots with the open side of said slot forming an entrance opening for receiving said heddle carrying rod, and an inwardly extending projection on each hook portion extending in a direction opposite to the direction of said flange-like rib, whereby said projections on the J-shaped hook portions will interlock with said flange-like ribs when the heddle carrying rods are displaced in a direction toward one another.

2. In a heddle frame for riderless Weaving harness having upper and lower staves arranged in spaced relation, heddle carrying rods supported by each of said staves, said heddle carrying rods being provided with vertically disposed flat portions, a laterally extending flanged rib formed along one edge of said heddle rods offset to one side of its vertical portion, a series of heddles supported between said heddle carrying rods, J-shaped hook portions on both ends of each heddle forming loops having longitudinal slots with the open side of said loop forming an entrance opening for receiving said heddle carrying rod, an inwardly extending projection on the free end of each loop portion extending in a direction opposite to the direction of said flange-like rib, each heddle being disposed in closely spaced relation with its J-shaped hook portion to said heddle carrying rods to cause interlocking engagement of the projection and flange-like rib upon relative movement between the heddles and heddle carrying rods in a predetermined direction, said flange-like ribs providing surfaces along which said heddles are adapted to be easily slid.

3. The heddle frame as claimed in claim 2 includes guiding edges on the heddle which edges are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the heddle.

4. The heddle frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein the heddle carrying rods each present a rib extending laterally therefrom for abutment with the said guiding edges, the said heddles including a recess in each end thereof and said recess defining the inclined guiding edges.

5. The heddle frame as claimed in claim 3 wherein each guiding edge is located adjacent to the respective end loop and towards the centre of the heddle.

6. The heddle frame according to claim 3 wherein the said guiding edges are located at the outer edges of the respective end loops.

7. A riderless heddle frame including heddle carrying rods and a multiplicity of weaving heddles supported by and upon said rods and freely slidable therealong, the said rods each presenting a guide and supporting edge, said heddles being formed of twin wire members and presenting, at each end thereof, a protrusion adapted to engage beneath the guide and supporting edge of the respective heddle carrying rod thus to limit the extent of relative movement between the heddles and rods, one shank of the heddle, at each end thereof, defining a guide for abutment against the heddle carrying rod and adapted, upon progressive relative motion between the heddle and rod in a given sense to effect displacement of the heddle in a direction parallel to the direction of warp ends passing through the heddles, said rods being substantially flat and extending in the same vertical plane in spaced relation with the guide and supporting edge ofiset to one side of said vertical plane.

8. A riderless heddle frame according to claim 1 wherein the said projection of the hook portion is bevelled at that side thereof remote from said flange-like rib.

9. A riderless heddle frame according to claim 1 Wherein the flanged ribs are formed on one side of the heddle carrying rods having [anti-friction surfaces curved in section to permit easy sliding movement of said heddles therealong.

10. A riderless heddle frame according to claim 1 wherein the heddles are provided with an opening to receive a guide rod.

11. A riderless heddle frame according to claim 2 wherein heddle cooperating surfaces extend in a slanted and inclined direction to the longitudinal direction of the heddle, and the side of the projection facing same is also slanted.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 9/54 Germany. 7/51 Italy.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IAN A HEDDLE FRAME FOR RIDERLESS WEAVING HARNESS HAVING UPPER AND LOWER STAVES ARRANGED IN SPACED RELATION, HEDDLE CARRYING RODS SUPPORTED BY EACH OF SAID STAVES, SAID HEDDLE CARRYING RODS BEING PROVIDED WITH VERTICALLY DISPOSED FLAT PORTIONS, A LATERALLY EXTENDING FLANGED RIB FORMED ALONG OANE EDGE OF EACH OF SAID HEDDLE RODS OFFSET TO ONE SIDE OF ITS VERTICAL PORTION, A SERIES OF HEDDLES SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID HEDDLE CARRYING RODS, J-SHAPED HOOK PORTIONS ON BOTH ENDS OF EACH PEDDLE FORMING LOOPS HAVING LONGITUDINAL SLOTS WITH THE OPEN SIDE OF SAID SLOT FORMING AN ENTRANCE OPENING FOR RECEIVING SAID HEDDLE CARRY ROD, AND AN INWARDLY EXTENDING PROJECTION ON EACH HOOK PORTION EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION OPPOISTE TO THE DIRECTION OF SAID FLANGE-LIKE RIB, WHEREBY SAID PROJECTIONS ON THE J-SHAPED HOOK PORTIONS WILL INTERLOCK WITH SAID FLANGE-LIKE RIBS WHEN THE HEDDLE CARRYING RODS ARE DISPLACED IN A DIRECTION TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. 